IgalSc
Established
I'm wondering if it's possible to get MF SLR for less than $100?
Looking at eBay, there's no way to end below $150 for camera with lens, even for Russian cameras
I was thinking of getting smth like Kiev 6/60 or 88, but they are around $150-200 with waist-level viewfinder and a lens
Looking at eBay, there's no way to end below $150 for camera with lens, even for Russian cameras
I was thinking of getting smth like Kiev 6/60 or 88, but they are around $150-200 with waist-level viewfinder and a lens
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
The Kiev 60 will be pretty much the cheapest you can get.
The 88 is more complex and more expensive. I'd prefer a 60, they are clunky, but tend to be more reliable.
It will be very difficult to get below those $150 or so - basically you have to get very lucky. I'm also not sure if you'll be happy with what you get. If you have only $100 to spend and definitely want to try medium format, I suggest you either go with a folding rangefinder or (preferably) a TLR. For example, you should be able to get a Flexaret for that money, and they are very decent cameras. (On the other hand, judging from your signature, you've already tried that)
The 88 is more complex and more expensive. I'd prefer a 60, they are clunky, but tend to be more reliable.
It will be very difficult to get below those $150 or so - basically you have to get very lucky. I'm also not sure if you'll be happy with what you get. If you have only $100 to spend and definitely want to try medium format, I suggest you either go with a folding rangefinder or (preferably) a TLR. For example, you should be able to get a Flexaret for that money, and they are very decent cameras. (On the other hand, judging from your signature, you've already tried that
)
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rxmd
May contain traces of nut
I think "MF" is supposed to mean "medium format", given that he talks about Kievs
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
yes it's possible.
but it won't be working and probably is beyond any chance for repair.
but it won't be working and probably is beyond any chance for repair.
NickTrop
Veteran
Best bet would be a TLR. This isn't an SLR but it's the most risk-free and least expensive entry point into medium format. A Yashica Mat would arguably be the best price/performace option. There are scads of TLRs up on the auction sites. I've never owned a TLR but they take great pictures, are far less bulky that the medium format SLRs - of which you have few options and are more expensive. You can most definitely get a serviceable one in the $100 range.
If you must have an SLR by far the least expensive is the Kiev 60. They go for around $100 - prices vary (and you get what you pay for), and do note these almost always come from overseas and shipping is expensive. In searching eBay it seems sellers overseas are no longer including the Volna 80mm kit lens - just the body, which wasn't the case when I bought mine 6-7 years ago... so figure $100 for a starter Kiev lens - any will be fine. (However, I didn't see a single Volna 80mm lens up. Hmmm. Weird.)
Another Option is the Pentacon 6. These are older that the Kievs but take the same lens mount. Here's an auction with a lens for one of these http://cgi.ebay.com/Rusian-camera-K...ilm_Cameras&hash=item5d27d67aec#ht_5977wt_930 for $119 but do not that shipping is over $60.
Folders - great in concept, smallest easiest to carry around but I went through my "folder oddesy" - buying, fixing several until I finally got one - an Iskra, that worked fine (that I sold...). I don't do medium format at the moment, but plan on getting back into it with either one of the automatic Fuji "point-n-shoot" or a TLR (probably a TLR).
As someone who's "been there, done that"
1. Kievs are the "most reliable" but they're wonk-y. Although mine worked perfectly, it always felt fragile. Like all MF SLRs, it's HUGE. You will get tired of carrying it around and getting weird looks if using it out and about. It's also quite ugly. However, it takes great pictures.
2. Folders are old and fragile. They get light-leaks, often in the bellows, and most are scale focus, which I hate. Apart from this, they're a little "too manual" and "too low-tech" for my taste.
You can get into 35mm film photography dirt cheap. Some auctions for decent 35mm cameras go begging w/ no bidders, or you can get a decent kit at a yard sale for next to nothing...
This is not true with medium format. As someone who's "gone the cheap route" (as I do with most things...) If I was to "do over" I would saved myself the time and effort and simply saved up more dough, held out, and got a newer decent camera - probably one of the Fujis that go for around $400-500, or with a TLR in good condition for $100 - $150 (or less). Don't knock the TLR - the staple of wedding photographers worldwide from the 60's through the 90's (some even today...). They knew what they were doing...
And as sonofdanang points out - be patient, esp if you're on a limited budget. I've watch a ton of auctions and save searches on eBay... even when I'm not planning to buy anything. (And I always SNIPE. So sue me... You have to Snipe. It's the way it's set-up...) I've seen great deals - things falling through the cracks, that I say "dang" that went cheap. I've "stole" some things myself. This is the exception but it happens. You have to be patient, you have to watch a lot of auctions, you have to save searches for specfic items you want, and you have to snipe.
If you must have an SLR by far the least expensive is the Kiev 60. They go for around $100 - prices vary (and you get what you pay for), and do note these almost always come from overseas and shipping is expensive. In searching eBay it seems sellers overseas are no longer including the Volna 80mm kit lens - just the body, which wasn't the case when I bought mine 6-7 years ago... so figure $100 for a starter Kiev lens - any will be fine. (However, I didn't see a single Volna 80mm lens up. Hmmm. Weird.)
Another Option is the Pentacon 6. These are older that the Kievs but take the same lens mount. Here's an auction with a lens for one of these http://cgi.ebay.com/Rusian-camera-K...ilm_Cameras&hash=item5d27d67aec#ht_5977wt_930 for $119 but do not that shipping is over $60.
Folders - great in concept, smallest easiest to carry around but I went through my "folder oddesy" - buying, fixing several until I finally got one - an Iskra, that worked fine (that I sold...). I don't do medium format at the moment, but plan on getting back into it with either one of the automatic Fuji "point-n-shoot" or a TLR (probably a TLR).
As someone who's "been there, done that"
1. Kievs are the "most reliable" but they're wonk-y. Although mine worked perfectly, it always felt fragile. Like all MF SLRs, it's HUGE. You will get tired of carrying it around and getting weird looks if using it out and about. It's also quite ugly. However, it takes great pictures.
2. Folders are old and fragile. They get light-leaks, often in the bellows, and most are scale focus, which I hate. Apart from this, they're a little "too manual" and "too low-tech" for my taste.
You can get into 35mm film photography dirt cheap. Some auctions for decent 35mm cameras go begging w/ no bidders, or you can get a decent kit at a yard sale for next to nothing...
This is not true with medium format. As someone who's "gone the cheap route" (as I do with most things...) If I was to "do over" I would saved myself the time and effort and simply saved up more dough, held out, and got a newer decent camera - probably one of the Fujis that go for around $400-500, or with a TLR in good condition for $100 - $150 (or less). Don't knock the TLR - the staple of wedding photographers worldwide from the 60's through the 90's (some even today...). They knew what they were doing...
And as sonofdanang points out - be patient, esp if you're on a limited budget. I've watch a ton of auctions and save searches on eBay... even when I'm not planning to buy anything. (And I always SNIPE. So sue me... You have to Snipe. It's the way it's set-up...) I've seen great deals - things falling through the cracks, that I say "dang" that went cheap. I've "stole" some things myself. This is the exception but it happens. You have to be patient, you have to watch a lot of auctions, you have to save searches for specfic items you want, and you have to snipe.
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Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Judging by the OP's signature, TLR's have already been covered.
An SLR however, well I think you need to double your budget to get a user Kiev, Pentacon, Praktisix, or maybe a Kowa 6, a Fujita 66 or Kalimar if you are lucky
An SLR however, well I think you need to double your budget to get a user Kiev, Pentacon, Praktisix, or maybe a Kowa 6, a Fujita 66 or Kalimar if you are lucky
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Mcary
Well-known
From Keh
1 ETRC WITHOUT WAISTLEVEL WITH 120 INSERT MEDIUM FORMAT SLR MANUAL FOCUS CAMERA BODY
BGN $69.00 $69.00 Remove 2 75 F2.8 EII (62) MEDIUM FORMAT SLR MANUAL FOCUS STANDARD ANGLE LENS
BGN $37.00 $37.00 Remove 3 120 LATE BACK
EX $35.00 $35.00 Remove 4 PRISM
BGN $17.00 $17.00 Remove Subtotal $158.00
1 ETRC WITHOUT WAISTLEVEL WITH 120 INSERT MEDIUM FORMAT SLR MANUAL FOCUS CAMERA BODY
BGN $69.00 $69.00 Remove 2 75 F2.8 EII (62) MEDIUM FORMAT SLR MANUAL FOCUS STANDARD ANGLE LENS
BGN $37.00 $37.00 Remove 3 120 LATE BACK
EX $35.00 $35.00 Remove 4 PRISM
BGN $17.00 $17.00 Remove Subtotal $158.00
Ronald_H
Don't call me Ron
The weird thing is that I expected my Yashica Mat 124 to gather dust after I got my Hassy kit together. But it is actually the other way round. I like to be mobile and the 'Mat is so much more elegant and less clunky, while the lens is second to none.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
I remember I got Kiev 60 for about $100 in the past. Problem with Kiev 60 is the frame over-wrapping issue because the camera was designed for slightly thicker 120 rolls of the old days.
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Yes, quite. Engrossed in a 6x6 mindset as I was I didn't think to include 645 cameras. That's probably where the real bargains are.
NickTrop
Veteran
Wow - forget what I said about Kievs. Bronicas are going cheap these days for some reason. Given the choice I'd take Mcary's advice! I may pick up one of these m'self!
jamais
Established
I bought a complete Bronica SQ-A outfit recently. Then sold part by part until I got the same amount as I paid for the whole outfit initially.
Now I have an SQ-A body, one 120 magazine and a 40mm lens - for free. The body needed new mirror dampers (cost: EUR 72) and I'm still looking for a cheap waist level finder.
If I had sold the 40mm lens instead of the 80mm lens I might have end up with less than $100 including a wlf and repair...
Edit: I forgot to mention that the dark slide of the magazin and the winding crank is missing.
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Lilserenity
Well-known
Sometimes just sometimes I have seen SQBs (Bronicas) go cheap as well, 6x6, not $100, but best I have seen is a SQB in moderate condition, all working though, WLF, 80mm lens and 120 magazine for about £140 which is about $180 which is a super bargain.
I would recommend saving up that little bit more, the difference between a Bronica and a Kiev is well, one's a very reliable camera, the other is hit and miss.
I would recommend saving up that little bit more, the difference between a Bronica and a Kiev is well, one's a very reliable camera, the other is hit and miss.
Brian Legge
Veteran
I picked up an SQ-A recently for $180 which included an 80mm lens, 220 back and a prism finder. I quickly realized that I wanted a waist level finder, speed grip and second back (120). That put me up to $350. So much for the cheap MF option.
If you think you even possibly want a waist level finder, buy it with the initial kit. They are hard to pick up separately without paying through the nose. I spent a few months checking with people selling kits with multiple finders before finding someone willing to part with one.
Or take the route listed above, buy a huge kit and sell off parts. I just don't trust my ability to let go of useful gear that easily.
If you think you even possibly want a waist level finder, buy it with the initial kit. They are hard to pick up separately without paying through the nose. I spent a few months checking with people selling kits with multiple finders before finding someone willing to part with one.
Or take the route listed above, buy a huge kit and sell off parts. I just don't trust my ability to let go of useful gear that easily.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
Wow, that's very, very cheap - over here it's rare to see Bronica outfits under 200 EUR. At $158 from KEH it's a non-issue really.
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
really i agree with Nick here.
I went the let's-try-it-cheap road all the way and it's not that cheap at the end...
Probably the best way would be that you get the rolleiflex slx that's in the classifieds right now, it costs 600 with shipping but you get a good working reliable system with lots of conveniences...
tlr's are fine as are folders but you want an slr, so...
Or you could get my kowa six and let the lens shutter fixed but will cost you more to fix it...
I went the let's-try-it-cheap road all the way and it's not that cheap at the end...
Probably the best way would be that you get the rolleiflex slx that's in the classifieds right now, it costs 600 with shipping but you get a good working reliable system with lots of conveniences...
tlr's are fine as are folders but you want an slr, so...
Or you could get my kowa six
and let the lens shutter fixed but will cost you more to fix it...
raid
Dad Photographer
KEH has a sale on AS IS items. Check it out.
Timegoblin
Newbie
Is there any particular reason you want an SLR 120 camera rather than a TLR or fixed lens one? What do you wish to achieve that you cannot with fixed/TLR?
I ask as when I was in college doing ophotography (so many years ago) I could not afford the kind of 120 film camera's my peers had- some had Bronica's, some had Pentax, I turned up with a box brownie (£2) and Lubitel 166U (£25), oh how they laughed.
The 6x9 negs from the box brownie were far better than I ever though the little box could conjur up, and the Lubitel still has film going through it to this day. I always said Id get myself a Bronica, Pentax 645, Kiev 60/88 one day but I never have and prob never will. I am not suggesting you buy the first box brownie you see, but maybe another venture into the TLR market might be the move to make- 100 gets you a good TLR these days!
Can you get a 120 film SLR for under 100? odds are you can if you watch a lot of auctions and are very lucky but think of all the time you will be missing out doing so. I would suggest either put the extra money in for a reasonable rig and know what your getting rather than taking a chance on what might be a total waste of your hard earned cash.
I ask as when I was in college doing ophotography (so many years ago) I could not afford the kind of 120 film camera's my peers had- some had Bronica's, some had Pentax, I turned up with a box brownie (£2) and Lubitel 166U (£25), oh how they laughed.
The 6x9 negs from the box brownie were far better than I ever though the little box could conjur up, and the Lubitel still has film going through it to this day. I always said Id get myself a Bronica, Pentax 645, Kiev 60/88 one day but I never have and prob never will. I am not suggesting you buy the first box brownie you see, but maybe another venture into the TLR market might be the move to make- 100 gets you a good TLR these days!
Can you get a 120 film SLR for under 100? odds are you can if you watch a lot of auctions and are very lucky but think of all the time you will be missing out doing so. I would suggest either put the extra money in for a reasonable rig and know what your getting rather than taking a chance on what might be a total waste of your hard earned cash.
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Give the TLR advice a break, he's got three already. The man wants an SLR.
Timegoblin
Newbie
thats lensist that is!
point taken though, he has been down the twin lens route already. I do stand by my advice though, Think about what it is about an SLR over the other options that you actualy need and rethink your budget.
point taken though, he has been down the twin lens route already. I do stand by my advice though, Think about what it is about an SLR over the other options that you actualy need and rethink your budget.